Jan. 18, 2021
Award-winning student club promotes clean, affordable energy
鈥淓veryone should have access to clean and affordable energy.鈥 These are the words of 抖阴APP导航 civil engineering student Karthi Karunakaran. Graduating in April 2020, Karunakaran aspires to work in and help shape Alberta鈥檚 renewable energy sector.
- Pictured above: The ELSE team installs solar panels on the roof of the 抖阴APP导航 Campus Community Garden shed. Photo by Karthi Karunakaran
鈥淎lberta has tremendous potential, not only in terms of talented people and natural resources, but also in terms of its ability to harness solar power,鈥 says Karunakaran. 鈥淚t would be great to diversify and incorporate all forms of energy.鈥
To help him reach his post-graduation goals and enhance his student experience, Karunakaran founded the 抖阴APP导航 chapter of Emerging Leaders for Solar Energy (ELSE). With the support of ELSE Canada, he started this student club in January 2016 to educate the campus community on the benefits of solar energy in Alberta and Canada.
As co-president, he works with more than 50 student members to organize fun and interactive events open to all disciplines. Their signature project involved installing an off-grid solar photovoltaic system in the Campus Community Garden. This system provides clean, carbon-free energy to 抖阴APP导航 garden users while increasing energy literacy and engaging the campus in the dialogue needed to address
Through this project, their dedication to campus sustainability earned them a 2019 抖阴APP导航 Sustainability Award.
鈥We were ecstatic to win a 抖阴APP导航 Sustainability Award,鈥 says Karunakaran. 鈥淓LSE wanted to enact positive change and contribute to campus sustainability. This led us to undertake the Community Garden Solar Project, in conjunction with the Community Garden Club and the Office of Sustainability.
"By installing this small off-grid system, the locally generated electricity powers the lights in the garden shed, plays music and charges small electronic devices for gardeners and local community members who use the garden.鈥
ELSE also received $250 with the award to further support the club鈥檚 initiatives.
Karunakaran encourages students, faculty and staff participating in or leading sustainability-related initiatives and research on campus to submit a nomination for the Sustainability Awards.
鈥淭he 抖阴APP导航 Sustainability Awards are a great way to recognize sustainability research and initiatives undertaken by the 抖阴APP导航 campus community,鈥 he says. 鈥淭hey showcase some of the best and brightest ideas on campus that students, faculty and staff are implementing to reduce our overall institutional carbon footprint. Those passionately working toward this goal should definitely apply.鈥
Do you know someone doing outstanding sustainability work at 抖阴APP导航? Take a few minutes to nominate them now for one of eight 抖阴APP导航 Sustainability Awards. Nominations are open until midnight on Feb. 3. Self-nominations are encouraged.
抖阴APP导航鈥檚 Institutional Sustainability Strategy provides a road map for continuous improvement in our pursuit of excellence and leadership in sustainability. We aim to become a Canadian post-secondary education leader in sustainability in our academic and engagement programs, administrative and operational practices and through supporting community and industry in their aims for leadership in sustainability. Learn more about 抖阴APP导航鈥檚 leadership in sustainability.
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